A CNN/Opinion Research Corporation poll shows that support for the Tea Party has fallen to new levels, most likely as more people now actually know what the Tea Party is. Support is down to 32 percent, which is the level of support in this country which unpopular Republicans are often able to achieve. According to the poll:

A CNN/Opinion Research Corporation survey released Wednesday indicates that 32 percent of the public has a favorable view of the two year old anti-tax movement, which also calls for less government spending and a more limited role for the federal government in our lives. The 32 percent favorable rating is down five points from December.

Forty-seven percent of people questioned say they have an unfavorable view of the tea party, up four points from December and an increase of 21 points from January 2010. That 47 percent is virtually identical to the 48 percent unfavorable ratings for both the Democratic party and the Republican party in the same poll.

“This is the first time that a CNN poll has shown the tea party’s unfavorable ratings as high as those of the two major parties,” says CNN Polling Director Keating Holland. “It looks like the rise in the movement’s unfavorable rating has come mostly among people who make less than $50,000.”

Perhaps this means that more people are realizing that the Tea Party is simply the latest name for the far right wing base of the Republican Party. This drop in support among those who make less than $50,000 would represent a decline in the ability of Republicans to get people to vote against their interests. Of course anyone other than a multi-millionaire who has no concern for morality or the future of the planet is voting against their interests if they support the extremists now dominating the GOP.

The Tea Party was responsible for the Republicans losing some seats in 2010 due to nominating extremists in more moderate states, but nation-wide it was probably of benefit to the GOP. The Tea Party helped generate more enthusiasm for the party, which at least meant higher turn out. It might have also meant more campaign contributions and volunteers. The Tea Party also helped the Republicans as the new name misled many voters into thinking there was a third choice. Some who might have never voted for the old Republican Party which is responsible for so many of our problems, and who wanted to vote against the party in power at the time, saw the Tea Party as an alternative. That is far less likely to be believed in 2012.